Accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, award-winning Woodland Park Zoo is famed for pioneering naturalistic exhibits and setting a standard for zoos all over the world. With conservation, education and excellent animal care at the core of the zoo’s mission, the zoo is helping to save endangered species in Washington state and around the world including tree kangaroos, snow leopards, red-crowned cranes, African wild dogs, western pond turtles and Oregon silverspot butterflies. By inspiring visitors and others to care and act, Woodland Park Zoo is making a difference in our planet’s future.

Description:
The zoo manages the largest live animal collection in Washington state, with approximately 1,098 specimens representing 300 species plus 34 groups of arthropods, one group of fish and one group of Partula snails. The zoo provides a home for 35 endangered and five threatened animal species. The zoo’s botanical collection includes 7,000 trees and more than 50,000 shrubs and herbs representing more than 1,000 species. With a mission of education and conservation, the zoo is a platform for educational purposes and participation in global efforts to understand and protect the world’s animals and their habitats. As a vital resource, the zoo serves tens of thousands of students and teachers across the state each year. In 2004, more than 375,000 visitors participated in the zoo’s public programs and more than 70,000 students, teachers and chaperones visited the zoo in school groups.

History:
Among its distinctions, Woodland Park Zoo is one of the oldest zoos on the West Coast. In the late 1880s, Guy Phinney, a wealthy sawmill owner, purchased a large tract of forest land about six miles north of downtown Seattle. On December 28, 1899, several years after Phinney’s death, the City of Seattle purchased the estate. In 2002, the City of Seattle transferred management and financial responsibility of Woodland Park Zoo to the Woodland Park Zoological Society. Founded in 1965, the nonprofit Society initially served as the zoo’s fundraising partner, but over the years has taken on an increasing number of responsibilities, such as marketing and membership. A 46-person, volunteer Board of Directors governs the Zoo Society with nine Board committees providing forums for information sharing between the Board and staff for various areas of zoo administration. The President and CEO reports to the Board and supervises all zoo staff. The City of Seattle continues to own the zoo grounds and exhibits.

Contact people:

Kimberly Haas, Volunteer Programs Supervisor, (phone), (email) Julie Barowski, Employee, (phone), (email) Paul Balle, Account Manager, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (206) 233-2663

Address:

601 N. 59th Street Seattle, WA 98103 This location is handicap accessible (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.zoo.org

Directions:

From the South / Downtown. take I-5 north to NE 50th St (Exit #169). Go west 1.3 miles to the South Gate at N 50th St and Fremont Ave N. From the North, take I-5 south to NE 50th St. . . (more)   Nearest Bus Stop: N. 55th Stree & Phinney, #5, 1 minute walk

Miscellaneous Information

Liability
	Yes
Does your organization welcome court-ordered community service volunteers?
	No
Does your organization have volunteer positions for youth 12-18?
	Yes